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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural senior Giles Frederickson tied the Rural school record with a 4-under-par 68 Wednesday at Village Greens Golf Course, leading the Junior Blues to the team championship by a 14-stroke margin.
Giles Frederickson posted a five-stroke win in Wednesday's Seaman Invitational, shooting a 4-under-par 68 to tie Washburn Rural's school record. [Submitted]
Frederickson, who now shares the Washburn Rural school record with former two-time state champ Parker Beal, won the individual title by five strokes over Seaman senior Gavin Wilhelm and Manhattan senior Jonathan Wefald, while the Junior Blues put four players in the top 10 individually on the way to a 296-310 margin over Manhattan in the team standings.
Centennial League schools claimed the first four spots in the team race, with Emporia finishing third (320) and host Seaman fourth (322).
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake softball rolled to an 11-1, 12-3 Mid-East League sweep over Riley County on Tuesday, getting a one-hit pitching performance and a home run from sophomore Avery Wende in the opener and 13 extra-base hits on the day.
Silver Lake sophomore Avery Wende pitched a one-hitter and hit a home run in the Eagles' 11-1 win over Riley County on Tuesday. [File photo/TSN]
Wende gave up just one single, struck our seven and did not issue a walk in the first game while hitting a three-run homer, while Kira Lowrey went 2 for 4 with a homer and four runs batter in, Hailey Horton went 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles and Makenzie McDaniel also went 3 for 4.
Taylor Zordel went 2 for 4 with a double and and a homer while Kaibryn Kruger had a triple and Taryn Burkhardt a double in the first game.
Silver Lake and Riley County were locked in a 1-1 tie before the Eagles exploded for nine runs in the fifth and a run in the sixth to end the contest.
The Eagles never trailed in the second game after scoring four runs in the first inning and added a pair of runs in the second and fourth innings and four runs in the sixth.
Kendra Cook went the distance for the pitching win in the nightcap, allowing eight hits and two earned runs.
Zordel and Lauren Rollenhagen tripled for Silver Lake, while Burkhardt, Horton, Zordel and Lowrey had doubles.
First game
SILVER LAKE 11, RILEY COUNTY 1
Riley County 000 100 -- 1 1 2
Silver Lake 000 191 -- 11 14 1
W -- Wende. L -- Zeller. 2B -- Silver Lake: Horton 2, Burkhardt, Zordel. 3B -- Silver Lake: K. Kruger. HR -- Silver Lake: Lowrey, Wende, Zordel.
Second game
SILVER LAKE 12, RILEY COUNTY 3
Riley County 020 010 0 -- 3 8 5
Silver Lake 420 204 -- 12 14 1
W -- Cook. L -- Jackson. 2B -- Silver Lake: Burkhardt, Horton, Lowrey, Zordel. 3B -- Silver Lake: Rollenhagen, Zordel.
State champ Boline to sign with Lindenwood
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By KEVIN HASKIN
TopSports.news
Musings at the mid-month:
• Sorry I am tardy on this dispatch. A Vegas trip wrecked my timing.
• After walking 20,000-plus steps the first day there, fatigue set in a bit.
• Tough to keep up with the Petersons and all the racket they made hitting the machines for big payouts.
• Cheap tendencies left me longing for the faded carpet at Jerry’s Nugget and the faded tile at Ellis Island.
• The allure of a $5 dollar table prompted me to unlock seedy treasure at both casinos.
• Even with higher prices on everything, the trip had its highlights.
• We witnessed the illustrious transformation of Rickie Peterson … from Popgun to Mr. Vegas.
• Money well spent.
• Bill Griffin offered a glowing state of the union on the TopSports website, which received cheers from all sides of the table.
• Happy hour helped set the mood, but I am happy for my friends and this website, which easily tops any traditional media source for Shawnee County sports coverage.
• While waving goodbye to the Strip, the return off the $20 future bet I hit for KU capturing the national title was all that had gone missing.
• The Jayhawks going off at 18:1 seemed like good value last summer, and indeed, they came through.
• Never dismiss a Bill Self team loaded with experience.
• Didn’t see Ochai Agbaji having the kind of season he enjoyed.
• Not sure we would have seen it either had Remy Martin played all year like he did at tournament time.
• Doubt Ochai would have been an All-American under such circumstances, though he made the most of his opportunity to boost himself in the draft.
• Good to see David McCormack go out on top considering his uneven performances and popularity. Big Dave won over everyone’s hearts.
• Not sure why I must inject this reminder on occasion, but Self knows what he’s doing.
• Does a second national title change Self’s legacy?
• Of course. It also changes his stature in real time.
• Sure, the result of the ongoing proceedings for rules infractions could change things too but the best Mark Emmert could do so far is call the university, Kansas City.
• That really inspires confidence in the NCAA chief.
• Count me among those intrigued by what’s happening with the basketball overhaul at K-State.
• Depth could be an issue for Jerome Tang but I’m willing to see everything play out before wondering when on-campus tryouts will be scheduled.
• Look, if your style doesn’t appeal to veteran players, no sense changing yourself.
• Tang got hired based on his approach, energy and intensity. Also, what happened with Baylor in his time as an assistant carries weight too.
• It’s just that we all know K-State is not the easiest place to recruit to at times.
• On that note, RIP to one of K-State’s greatest ambassadors, Jon Wefald.
• His vision and his capacity to interact made him the most personable university administrator I ever met. Hands down.
• We talked boxing one night while attending the same fight card; we talked architecture once while together at the Statehouse; we spoke about Pete Goering’s influence after Pete passed.
• Wefald was into everything because he took a genuine interest in people.
• So much so, one attribute that should never be forgotten was his desire to stage events that brought high school kids to K-State.
• He understood the importance of recruiting and grew K-State like no university president before or since.
• During the time Silver Lake football was part of my beat, an uprising surfaced to boot Santa Fe Trail from the Mid-East League.
• The league got its way but Silver Lake objected, in part because C.J. Hamilton approved of the competition from a larger school.
• Hamilton announced his retirement this week as the state’s all-time winningest prep football coach.
• Systematic tradition is the surest way to win consistently in high school football.
• Few ever sustained a dominant edge and belief quite like C.J.
• To denote what Jerry Farley achieved as Washburn president, just tour the campus.
• If you’re familiar with what WU looked like a quarter-century ago, progress is evident, obvious and vivid.
• It’s time for new ideas and new blood but Ichabods everywhere benefitted from Farley’s oversight.
• I will forever remember his commencement speech at my daughter’s graduation.
• His message touched on empathy, grace, kindness and diplomacy, values that continue to erode in our society.
• This spring I offer my annual public service reminder that I do not receive the Royals as a viewing option on my television subscription service.
• As long as such broadcasts are expressly forbidden by the franchise and by Major League Baseball, I have grown fine with it too.
• I know it doesn’t matter to any baseball executive, but you’ve lost a follower.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Kansas State High School Activities Association is currently in the midst of its 50 for 50 project, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX, which opened the door for female athletes across the United States. As part of that project TopSports.news contributor Rick Peterson wrote the following story on former Shawnee Heights star Trisa Nickoley, a 17-time state champion in track and cross country.
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Since her record-setting Shawnee Heights track and cross country career ended in 2004, Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Famer Trisa Nickoley never completely got away from the sport.
Nickoley went on to a standout career at Missouri and her profession is helping to promote corporate wellness, but lately the 17-time Kansas state champion has started feeling like it may be time to get more involved with the sport she loves.
Trisa Nickoley
Nickoley, who a 17-month-old son, Armani, recently moved back to her old Topeka stomping grounds and has relatives that are getting in involved in sports, which has served to rekindle Nickoley's memories of her career.
"As I moved back here, I hadn't lived here since high school, so it does bring back memories,'' Nickoley said. "I have cousins now that are in track and it's cool to watch. My oldest nephew is 12 and he's in sports and I guess people are kind of recognizing the name a little bit and asking questions.
"Lately I'm like, 'Should I get involved in some coaching around the area?' I do miss that track world and I feel like maybe I'm being tugged backed into it, which is awesome. So we'll see what happens with that.''
Nickoley was one of the greatest female middle-distance runners in Kansas history, earning an amazing 17 Class 5A state championships in cross country and track while never losing an individual race in state competition in either sport.
Nickoley won four straight 5A state cross country titles from 2000-2003 and won titles in the 400, 800 and 1,600 meters four straight years at the state track and field meet in Wichita (’01-’04). She added a 17th state title in the 1,600-meter relay.
She is still Kansas’ all-time state leader in the 800 meters (2 minutes, 06.67 seconds) and was inducted into the KSHSAA Hall of Fame in 2018
Nickoley was a two-time Track and Field News high school All-American and was named the Gatorade Kansas track and field athlete of the year three times.
Nickoley, went on to become a 14-time All-Big 12 honoree, a four-time Big 12 champion and earned All-America honors in the 800 meters at Missouri. Nickoley competed in the 2008 Olympic Trials.
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By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Its no secret that Topeka High’s girls soccer team has been plagued by the injury bug.
But despite dealing with numerous injuries, Topeka High gave it everything it had in a 4-1 Centennial League loss to Manhattan Tuesday at Hummer Sports Park.
Manhattan's Jada Dibbini (white) is defended by Topeka High's Adrianne Caracioni (14) and Faith Shields (23) in Tuesday's 4-1 Manhattan win. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
Topeka High soccer coach Derek Snook (center) talks to his team after Tuesday's 4-1 Centennial League loss to Manhattan. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
“Injuries have been a big part of the season so far,” Topeka High coach Derek Snook said. “We know it’s part of the game, but the girls are dealing with knees, ankles, injured hips and it’s hurt us some.
"We have a developing roster and bench, but it’s never beneficial when your starters are banged up.”
Topeka High knew that Tuesday night’s frigid temperatures and Manhattan’s bruising roster was going to be a challenge.
“We are still playing hard no matter the circumstance,” Snook said. “We are giving effort and the girls are leaving it all out on the field. As a coach, I’m proud of the way our team keeps fighting and competing.”
“Kudos to (High) for never giving up,” Manhattan coach Mike Sanchez said. “The way (High) fought against us is great for them. Their lineup is looking solid all around and they are the real deal.”
Topeka High’s one goal came from Molly McGuire. McGuire’s impressive goal came from a crowded goalie box swarmed by Lady Indian defenders, where she got a powerful kick in.
The McGuire goal would help build some momentum, but Manhattan’s defense would improve after the goal.
Manhattan forward Jada Dibbini would earn the “X-factor” title in Tuesday night’s contest.
Dibbini had two goals early in the first half that gave the Tribe separation and important momentum to carry with them for the rest of the game. Dibbini’s defense was also notable in helping the Lady Indians earn the victory.
“I thought it was really important that the two goals set the tone for the win,” Dibbini said. “Early goals help bring energy to our team and that’s what it’s all about. Helping the team.”
Defending a top-10 ranked team in Class 6A is difficult enough as is, but Manhattan appeared to get stronger the longer the game went on.
Manhattan’s four goals came from Dibbini, Emery Ruliffson and Morgan Turner.
“It was a good performance from the team,” Sanchez said. “I was hoping we would ride some of the momentum Jada (Dibbini) created with her early goals, but I am happy with the way things turned out for us tonight.”
Manhattan’s successful day started early on in the first half.
Dibbini was on an island by herself being charged by a hoard of Topeka High players where she would take a risk and kick it near midfield in for a jaw-dropping goal in the first 1:37 of play.
Dibbini would follow her first goal with another one 14:26 later in the first half taking advantage of a crowded goalie box.
Manhattan’s early 2-0 lead halfway through the first half would get an extension exactly three minutes later.
Topeka High’s goalie, Amari Sharp, would decide to run for the ball near the penalty area where she would meet with Manhattan’s Morgan Turner. Turner would scoot past the Topeka High goalie and tap it in for the goal.
Shortly after the Turner goal, Topeka High would get on the board with McGuire's goal inside of the goalie box giving Topeka High some momentum.
“That goal from Molly (McGuire) was important for the team early on,” Snook said. “I thought it was a good set up and I thought that she executed the goal very well.”
Topeka High’s defense would have the physical edge after McGuire’s goal and it forced Manhattan to take some uncomfortable shots in the remainder of the first half.
Manhattan would sit with the somewhat comfortable two-goal lead at the end of the first half.
The Lady Trojans and the Lady Indians’ defensive efforts late in the first half would carry over for the remainder of the second half. A combined eleven shots to the goal were taken by both teams for 29:10 in the second half.
Em. Ruliffson would muscle in a late goal with 10:50 left on the game clock giving Manhattan High a sizeable lead.
Em. Ruliffson’s late goal would be all the Lady Indians needed to secure the victory.
Topeka High (5-3) will hit the road and take on Lawrence Free State Friday.
MANHATTAN 4, TOPEKA HIGH 1
Manhattan (6-3) 3 1 – 4
Topeka High (5-3) 1 0 – 1
Manhattan – Goals: Dibbini 2, Turner, Em. Ruliffson. Assists: Manhattan – Em
Topeka High – Goal: McGuire.
